Machine for applying reenforcing filaments to fabrics



Dec. 8, 1925. 1,565,008

c. H. HOWARD MACHINE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING' FILAMENTS TO FABRICSOriginal Filed Aug. 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. s, 1925. -1.sss.o0s

C. H. HOWARD MACHINE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAMENTS T0 FABRICSOriginal Filed Aug. 23, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1925- C. H. HOWARDmomma FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAMENTS TO FABRICS Original Filed Aug.23, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Int 9 7L 02 Ac orn gv Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. HOWARD, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO PAPER PRODUCTSMACHINE COMPANY, 013 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

CHUSETTS.

A CORPORATION OF MASSA- MACHINE FOR APPLYING- REENFORCING FILAMENTS TOFABRICS.

Application filed August 23, 1919, Serial No. 319,353. Renewed July 13,1923.

To all whom it may coma-n:

Be it known thatI, CHARLES H. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Saugus, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Machines for Applying ReenforcingFilaments to Fabrics, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters onthe drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to machines forreenforcing fabrics by applying reenforcing filaments thereto, and moreparticularly to machines for adhesively securing reenforcing filamentsto paper fabrics.

The reenforcing desired character which will impart the necessary ordesired strength to the paper fabric when combined therewith, butisasmuch as unspun fibres, such for instance as hemp, sisal, flax,ramie, and the like, possess certain advantages over other forms ofreenforcing filaments such as cords, threads, and the like, the machineof the present invention will be described in connection with theapplication of unspun fibres to the paper fabric, it being understoodthat the invention is not necessarily restricted thereto, but that theinvention may be used to apply other forms of reenforcing filaments tothe fabric. I

The unspun fibres are usually prepared in rov-ingor sliver form. Thatis, the fibres are reclaimed from the woody material or other foreignsubstance which naturally adheres to them, and are then formed into longuntwisted ropings, rovings or slivers.

One of the problems presented in applying the fibres of rovings to thefabric to be reenforced, is the difliculty experienced in laying thefibres in an economically thin sheet, and in parallel relation on thefabric F to be reenforced. It has been found, how-- rovings or movingsuppy and then disthe fibres, es-

ever, that by feeding them from a source of tributing them in sheetform, pecially of long staple, secured to the surface of the fabric insubstantially parallel relation longitudinally filaments may be of anymay be adhesively throughout the width of the fabric or paper to bereenforced, the fibres of the rovings are flattened or made into asheet-like form,

and then the sheet of fibres is attenuated and the fibres adhesivelysecured to the sur face of the fabricv or paper in substantialparallelism, and in many cases, while they are under longitudinal pullor tension.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists ofmeans for feeding rovings for application to a fabric to be reenforced,and applying the unspun fibres in an attenuated sheet form to thesurface of the fabric or paper.

In carrying this feature of the invention into effect, the .rovings inthe present invention'are fed by feeding means and spread out ordistributed into sheet form between the feeding means and the point ofapplication to the fabric, and either at or before the time of itsapplication to the fabric, the sheet of fibres is drawnout orattenuated. It has been found in practice that the attenuation ofthe-sheet of unspun fibres may be effectively accomplished by runningthe paper-feeding means at a higher rate of speed than the rate ofdelivery of the fibres to the fabric, the consequence being that theends of the fibres which are grasped by the adhesive surface of thepaper as they are'fed toward it, will be pulled by the adhesive surfaceof the paper lengthwise and drawn out or pulled from the associatedfibres which have not yet reached the adhesive surface of the paper, theconsequence being that the sheet of fibres will be attenuated and thefibres themselves will be laid in sup stantial parallelismlongitudinally of the fabric orpaper to be reenforced.

In reenforcing fabrics by unspun fibres it is desirable that thereenforcingunspun fibres be applied under lengthwise tension so that aforce tending to tear or rupture the fabric will be resisted by the tautor tensioned fibres.

Another important feature of the present I body.

sion. This is accomplished by exerting a holding or retarding force uponthe unspun fibres as they are drawn forward by and applied to themovingfabric or paper.

It has been found advisable, though not always essential in ractice, todraw out or partially attenuate t e sheet of fibres before the sheet ispresented to the fabric or paper to be reenforced; and to then exert aretarding or holdin force upon the fibres to tension them as tiey aredrawn forwardly from the associated fibres by the paper to which theyare adhesively secured. An effective means to this end has found itsresponse in a combing device which is preferably placed between thefeeding means for the rovings, and the point of delivery of the fibresto the adhesive surface of the paper. It may be desirable to move thecomb somewhat faster than the feed rolls, and to move the paper-feedingrolls at a higher rate of speed'than the comb, the consequence beingthat the sheet of fibres will be attenuated and a substantially uniformparallelism of the fibres be secured as they are adhesively placed uponthe fabric or paper.

In some instances the reenforcing fibers may be applied to a singlesheet of paper or fabric, and in some instances it may be ap pliedbetween two sheets of paper or fabric either of the same or differentthickness or The latter is a desirable product, since both the adhesiveand the reenforcing fibers are enclosed between the sheets of 7 paper orfabric andprotected from contact with articles to which the material maybe applied.

Unspun fibers such as described above i tend to kink and curl up, andheretofore it has been a problem to so control the fibers as to maintainthe same in general parallel relation while being fed longitudinally tothe fabric to be reenforced. By the present invention, however, a simpleand efficient.

machine is provided which will feed a sheet of unspun fibers to thefabric to be reenforced, and will apply the fibers thereto underlengthwise tension.

The character of the invention will be best understood by reference tothe following description of one good form thereof, shown intheaccompanying drawings, wherein: V

Fig. 1 is a lan of a machine shown here-; in as embodying the invention;r

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the machine;

Fig. 3 onan enlarged scale is a per.- spective view of -a portion of thecomb mechanism for feeding the fibers from the 1 endless carrier" to thefabric to be reen forced and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a fabricwhich may be produced by the machine, one of the sheets of the fabricbeing pulled back from. the other sheet to disclosethe reenforcingfibers between the sheets.

The machine shown in the drawings presents a good practical form of theinvention, and while it is especially adapted for the treatment ofunspun fibres and their application to the paper layer or layers, andwill hereinafter be described in that connection, it will be understoodof course, that it is not limited thereto. The machine frame comprisesthe members 1 which are held in spaced relation by the transverse pieces3.

The unspun fibers may be presented to the machine in the form of rovings5, and suitable means may be provided for receiving these rovings andfor feeding the same into the machine. This means, in the presentinstance of the invention, comprises a pair of upper and lower drawingrolls 7 and 9 having flutes extending longitudinally thereof. The lowerdrawing roll 9 has a shaft 11 journalled in boxes 13 mounted on thebottoms of guideways in uprights 15 mounted onthe side frames of themachines. The upper roll 7 has a shaft 17 journalled Y in bearings inboxes 19 slidably mounted in the guideways of said uprights and urgeddownward by coil springs 21 confined between said boxes and the u perends of said guideways. The tension 0 the coil springs may be varied byadjustment of followers 23 under the control of hand screws 25. To guidethe rovings to the drawing rolls, a smaller roller 27 may be providedadjacent said drawing rolls and mounted in bearings in brackets 29secured to said u rights.

It is desirable that the uprig ts may be adjusted longitudinally of themachine to conform to adjustment. of an endless carrier to be described.To accomplish this, the lower ends of the uprights may be secured to theside frames of the machine by bolts 31- 'adapted to slide inlongitudinal j machine, since the overlapping flutes of the rolls gripthe fibers and insure positive feeding thereof into the machine. Thefluted rolls may be driven by any suitable means. In the presentinstance, the shaft 11 for the lower .roll hasa pulley .35 fast thereonadapted to be driven by a belt from any suitable source of power.- willbe driven from the lower roll by means of the overlappin flutes of therolls. The rovings fed into t e machine by the. fluted rolls will bedesirably s read out and flats tened to the form of a s eet of fibers37.

In reenforcing a paper layer or paper layers b filaments adhesivelysecured there to, the desired character of product dictates that thereenforcing filaments whether of spun or uns un fibres shall bedistributed over the sur ace of the paper in a substan- The upper rolltially single strata or layer, the effect being that the paper fabric isdesirably strengthened without, at the same time, ma-

terially increasing the thickness or forming ridges in the finishedfabric, or involving unnecessary waste of the reenforcing elements. Thesheet of reenforcing fibres delivered by the feed or drawing rolls 7 and9, is ordinarily too bulky and thick for direct application to thepaper, ent invention, therefore, provides for thinning, drawing out, orattenuating thesheet of fibres between the feeding rolls and the pointwhere the fibres are delivered to the paper, and for causing the stickyor adhesive substance on the paper to further draw out or pull theindividual fibres from the sheet as the sheet is advanced toward thepoint of delivery. The effect of this is that the reenforcing filamentsare placed upon the adhesive surface of the paper in substantially asingle layer with the fibres straightened and laid substantiallyparallel, and under some degreeof lengthwise tens10n.

In some cases it may be desirable to interpose a feeding device betweenthe rolls 7 and 9 and the drawing or attenuating on shafts and means forthinning the sheet of fibres before it reaches the point of applicationto the paper, but this is not always essential so long as the fibres arerelieved from the nip or bite of the rolls 7 and 9 when they pass intocontrol of the attenuating or thin ning means.

This feeding means, in the present instance, is in the form of anendless carrier or apron 39 guided by end rolls 11 and 4:3 47,respectively. The shaft is mounted on the uprights 15 and the shaft 47is mounted in bearings on the side frames of the machine. It isdesirable that theupper horizontal run of the apron shall besubstantially equal to or not less than the length of the longest fibersfed into the machine and that the length of said run may vary accordingto different lengths of fibers. To this end the apron guide roll 41 maybe adjusted toward or from the companion roll 43 with the uprights 15and the fluted rolls carried thereby. The shaft '47 may be driven by asprocket "wheel 49 a sprocket fast thereon and connected by chain 51with a sprocket wheel 53 fast on a shaft 55 journalled in hearings. inthe side frames of the machine. The shaft 55 has a ulley 57 fast on. oneend thereof adapted to be driven by a belt from any suitable source. ofpower.- When a feeding device, such as the endless carrier or apron 39is employed, the supporting portion of the carrier or .apron ispreferably held taut,

and as a convenient means to this end a tension roller 59 may beprovided journalled in bearings in slides 61 adapted to and the presbeadjustably secured by bolts 63 in vertical guideways 65 mounted on theside frames of the machine.

The paper to be reenforced is furnished i from a source of supply andfed through the machine by a train of mechanism which includes anelement that presents the adhesive surface of the paper to the oncomingreenforcing filaments. In the present in.- stance, a roll of paper orfabric 67 is shown on a supply roller 69 mounted in hearings on the sideframes of the machine, and is conducted to and between .upper and lowerrolls 71 and 73. The lower roll 73 has a shaft journalled in bearings inuprights 75 mounted on the side frames of the machine and the upper rollhas a shaft 77 journalled in hearings in boxes 79 adjustably mounted inguideways in said uprights and urged downward by coil s rings 81confined between the boxes 9 and followers 83 adapted to be adjusted byhand screws 85 to vary the tension of said springs.

In some cases it may be desirable to sepaper layers and the rotatingrolls, the ef fect being that the reenforcing elements whose ends engagethe adhesive are pulled lengthwise individually, straightened, and laidbetweenthe paper layers under a degree of lengthwise tension. In thepresent instance, a second roll of paper or fabric 87 is shown on asupply roll 89 mounted in bearings on-uprights 91 on the side frames ofthe machine. The paper or fabric is led from the supply-roll over theupper roll 71 and between the upper and lower rolls 71 and 73. The twosheets of paper. or fabric are fed thence toward the delivery end of themachine, and as shown in the present instance of the invention are fedby a pair of upper and lower calender rolls 93 and .95 journalled inbearings in uprights 97 fed from the calender rolls over a roll 109journalled in bearings in the uprights 91 at the delivery end of themachine.

As hereinbefore' noted, one of the important features of consists indrawing out or attenuating the heavy sheet of fibres 37 and presentingthe the present invention ends of the fibres in the advancing attenuatedsheet to the adhesive surface of the paper, which thereupon pulls thefibres of fibres on the paper tobe reenforcedb This feature of theinvention is carried into practical effect, in the present instance by acombing device which engages'the' sheet of fibres delivered by thefeeding rolls 7 and 9, and draws it out in the direction of the lengthof the fibres or attenuates the sheet and then delivers the leading endsof the fibres of the now attenuated sheet to the action of the rolls 71and 73', and the adhesive surface of the traveling paper. This means, inthe present instance, comprises a series of combs 111 extendingtransversely of the machine and each compris ing a back or'bar 113having a multiplicity of teeth 115 projecting therefrom and preferablytapered to sharp points. The ends of the combs are adapted to rest onand be 7 fed along upper and lower tracks 117 and 119 mounted on theside frames of the machine, the upper tracks being substantially on thesame level as the upper horizontal runof the endless carrier 39, and thelower tracks being located a short distance be neath the upper tracks.The combing device may take various forms, but when it is composed of aseries of separate bars each having comb teeth, it lends itself readilyto movements which insure the fibres being engaged and disengaged by theteeth, and is consequently a preferred, though not a necessary, form ofcombing device. The bars of the combing device are given a movementtoward the point of delivery of the fibres to'the paper and travel at aspeed in timed relation with the feeding rolls or feeding apron 39, suchthat the thick sheet of fibres 37 becomes thinned and attenuated as itis advanced' The leading comb bars successively withdraw from theattenuated fibres after the leading ends have been engaged by theadhesive surface of the paper and the fibres individually pulledlengthwise by the faster-traveling paper. The bars then successivelydrop to the lower track, where they are returned to initial positionand-raised to again engage the sheet of fibres. The actuating means forthe comb bars, in the present instance, comprises a pair of screws 121adapted to receive reduced ends 123 of the comb bars, said screws beingmounted on shafts 125 extending lon itudinally of the machine andjournal-ed in bearings 127 and 129 mounted on the side frames of themachine. At the ends of the shafts 125 are beveled gears 131 meshingwith and driven by bevel gears 133 on the shaft 55.

To feed the combs back along the lower tracks 119, a pair of screws 137may be provided having a pitch substantially steeper shafts 139journalled in bearings 141 and i 143 mounted on the side frames of themachine. Gears 145 on the shafts 139 aredriven from gears 147 on theupper screw shaft 125 through intermediate gears 149 on stub shaftsournalled in bearings between the upper and lower, bearings 129 and 143.

As the combs or comb bars successively arrive at the terminal of theirtravel on the upper track orpath, they are transferred to the lowertrack. In the present instance the upper screw shafts 125 are providedwith cams 153 fast thereon adapted-to engage the ends of the combs afterthey have passed the ends of the upper tracks, and to force the combsdownward to the lower tracks. To guide the combs in their drop ortransfer from the upper to the lower tracks, a pair of upstanding arms155 may be provided fulcrumed between their ends on stub shafts 157carried by brackets 159 mounted on the side frames. The lower ends ofthe arms are'connected by rods 161 projecting loosely through the lowerends of said arms and the lower ends of a pair of arms 163 fulcrumed onstub shafts 165 carried by brackets 167 mounted on the side frames.Collars 169 are mounted fast on said rods and engage the lower ends ofthe arms 155. Coil springs 171 encircle said rods and are confinedbetween collars 173 fast on said rods and the lower ends of the arms163. The construction is such that the springs tend to rock the pair ofarms 155 and the pair of arms 163 toward each other. Each 'of the combbars has grooves 175 therein of a width sufiicient to receive the arms155. a

When the combs have been fed by the upper screws along the upper tracksaway from the endless carrier 39 and toward the rolls 71 and 73, theywill finally reach the ends of said tracks. Thereupon said combs willengage the arms 155 and be limited thereby. After the combs are fedbeyond their tracks, they will drop to the lower tracks, assisted by thecams 153. In dropping they will slide along the arms 155, and the coilsprings 171 acting on the latter will press the combs toward the left ofFig. 3 so that the ends thereof will be caught by the threads of thelower feed screws 137. The latter will then quickly return the combsalong the lower tracksarrival of the combs at the ends of the lowertracks, the cams 177 will come up beneath the ends thereof and elevatethe same to the upper tracks. The arms 163 referred to, will limit thereturn movement of the combs alongthe lower tracks. Rails 178 dependingfrom the upper tracks will be engaged by the comb grooves 175 and willguide the same in their upward movements. The arms 163 will press thecombs toward the right of Fig. 3, and insure that the ends thereof shallbe caught by the threads of the upper screws.

Thus, the combs are progressively fed along the upper tracks, dropped,returned along the lower tracks, and lifted to the upper tracks. Thecombs travel close together along the upper tracks and in effect consstitute acarrier of substantial length having a multiplicity of pointedteeth rising therefrom. These teeth on elevation of the combs are thrustup through the sheet of unspun fibres delivered by the endless carrierand hold the fibres in their general parallel relation, and convey thesame from the endless carrier to the upper and lower rolls 71 and 73.The effect of the comb and its rate of travel with relation to' the feedof the fibrous sheet is to draw out or attenuate the sheet and finallypresent the leading ends of the fibres to the adhesive surface of thefaster-traveling paper, whereupon they are drawn length-wise through theteeth of the combs and then into the nip of the rolls about which thepaper is passed.

One of the paper layers is supplied with f an adhesive which serves tonot only draw or pull the fibres from the combs when the ends of thefibres engage the adhesive, but also to secure the fibres to the paperlayer, and where more than one layer of paper is employed, as instancedin the illustrated machine, to additionally secure the paper layerstogether. Black asphaltum is preferably employed as the adhesive becauseit also possesses the quality of rendering the rcmiforcecjl fabricwaterproof. It may be applied to one of the paper layers while hot. Asbest indicated in Fig. 4, a trough 1T9 supported by the machine frame,and a pair of rolls 181 and 183 having shafts jOHX'IlHllOCl in bearingsin the machine frame. The upper shaft may have a pulley 185 fast thereondriven bya belt from any suitable source of power. To rotate thelowerroll 183 from the upper roll 181, their'shafts may have intermeshinggears 191 and 193 fast thereon. Adjacent the rolls 181 and 183 is aguide roll 195 on a shaft journalled in bearings carried by the sideframes of the machine.

The construction is such that the paper or fabric may be led from thesupply roll 69 over the guide roll 195, and thence between such that thefibres/are the rolls 181 and 183 and thence to the rolls 71 and 73referred to. The roll 183 which rotates in the adhesive in the trough179, will apply the adhesive to the paper or fabric. The fibersdelivered by the carrier combs to the rolls 71 and 73, will be caught bythe adhesive and will be pressed by the upper roll 71 into the adhesivelayer on the paper or fabric.

It is desirable that the fibres shall be drawn with a draft such thatthe fibres shall be in substantially parallel relation and insubstantially straight condition when they are applied to the fabric tobe reenforced. To this end the apron or carrier may be driven fasterthan the fluted rolls 7 and 9, the comb carrier in its upper horizontal.run may be fed faster than the apron or carrier, and the calender rollsmay be rotated to feed the paper or fabric considerably faster than thefeed of the comb carrier. 'It will be understood, however, that therelative speeds of the rolls and carriers may be varied according toconditions as required, but the construction and relative speeds arecombed so that on arrival thereof at the material to be reenforcedthey-are in a general parallel relation, and when the leadin ends of thefibres are caught by the adhesive coating of the paper or fabric andbetween the rolls 71 and 73, their speed of feed is materially increasedand they are drawn between the teeth of the combs and combed, brushedand straightened thereby, thus resulting in their application to theabrics in substantially straight condition. The draft of the fibres asdescribed may also result in attenuation thereof to a thin sheet ofproper thickness to afford the desired reenforeement of andstrengthening effect on the fabric, and in some instances the sheet offibres may be of athickness substantially equal to one of the fibres.

While the machine has been described more particularly with reference tounspun fibres, it will be understood that it is not limited in usethereto, but spun fibres and other filaments maybe used by the machinein reenforcing fabrics if desired.

Referring to Fig. 4, the product there shown produced by the machine,comprises a sheet of paper 197, a sheet of paper 199 and unspun fibres201 secured to the sheets of paper by a waterproof adhesive layer 203 ofblack asphaltum.

By my invention, a simple and eflicient machine is provided for takingunspun fibers or other filaments, spreading them into a sheet, andapplying the sheet in adwith a sheet or sheets hesive engagement ofpaper or other fabric. The machine is capable of high speed, requireslittle attention on the part of the operator, and has a large capacity.

drawn, brushed or tothe paper fabric,

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of he appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination of paperfeeding means for feeding a paper fabricto be reenforced, means forapplying an adhesive and means for advancing a sheet of reenforcingfilaments at a slower rate of speed than the surface speed of the paperfabric that. the individual filaments may be pulled lengthwise relativeto the sheet by the adhesive surface of the paper fabric and appliedthereto in attenuated condition.

2. In a machine for reenforcin a paper fabric, the combination of guidesor directing a paper fabric, means for applying an adhesive to thesurface of the paper fabric, means for feeding a sheet of reenforcingfilaments for application to the adhesive surface of the paper fabric,and means for feeding the paper fabric at a greater speed than that ofthe sheet of reenforeing filapaper ,hesive surface of the paper fabricments that the individual filaments of the sheet may be drawn from thesheet and applied in attenuated condition to the adhesive surface of thepaper fabric.

3. In a machine for reenforcing a aper fabric, the combination of meansfor orming reenforcing filaments into a sheet and presenting thefilaments to the paper to be reenforced, guides for directing the paper,means for applying an adhesive to the sheet, means for moving the papersheet past the point of presentation of the sheet of reenforcingfilaments, and means for retarding the movement of the sheet offilaments in response to the pull of individual filaments when engagedby the adthat the filaments may be drawn out and attenuated by themoving paper fabric.

4. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, apair of fluted rolls for receiving unspun fibres from a source ofsupply, an endless carrier for receiving the fibresfrom said flutedrolls, a comb carrier for receivin the fibres from said endless carrier,rolls for feeding a fabric for receiving the fibres from said combcarrier, and means for actuating said fluted rolls, carrier andfabric-feeding rolls at progressively increasing speeds to draw out andmaintain the fibres in substantially parallel relation for presentationto said fabric.

5. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination of rollsfor feeding the reenforcing filaments, a roll for directing the aperfabric for the application of the reen orcing filaments to an adhesivesurface thereof, means for attenuating the re- 'reenforcing enforcingfilaments and presenting the leading ends to the adhesive surface of thepaper, and means for causing the paper to be moved faster than thereenforcing filaments that the filaments engaged by the adhesive surfaceof thepaper may be fur-. ther attenuated and laid in substantiallyparallel relation on the paper in a substantially single layer.

6. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination of meansfor feeding a paper fabric to be reenforced, means for drawing filamentsfrom a source of supply and forming them into a sheet, attenuating meansfor thinning or attenuating the sheet and delivering the ends of thefila-v ments to the adhesive surface of the paper, and a traveling apronbetween the drawing means and attenuating means forsupport ing alengthof the sheet of reenforcing filaments equal at least to the length ofthe individual filaments.

7. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination,means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by unspun fibres, means forapplying an adhesive to the fabric, means for feeding a sheet of unspunfibres in substantially straight and parallel condition and presentingit tothe adhesive surface of the fabric, and means for driving thefabric feeding means at a higher speed than 'said fibre feeding means tocause the adhesive surface of the fabric to' draw the fibres andmaintain the same in the aforesaid condition.

ion

8. A machine of the character described,.

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric having anadhesive surface to be reenforced by unspun fibres, means for feeding asheet of substantially unspun fibres towards the fabric, means betweensaid fibre feeding means and fabric for attenuating the unspun fibresand placing themunder lengthwise tension on the fabric, and means forpressing the fibres into adhesive engagement with the adhesive surfaceof the fabric.

9. In a machine for reenforcing a paper strip, the combination of meansfor feeding a strip of paper having an adhesive surface, to bereenforced by reenforcing filaments. means for feeding a sheet ofreenforeing filaments toward the paper strip. means between the filamentfeeding means and paper strip for attenuating the reenforeing filamentsand placing them under lengthwise tension on the adhesive surface of thepaper strip.

10. In a machinefor reen'i'oreing a fabric by applying reenforcingfilaments to an adhesive surface thereof, the combination of means forfeeding the fabric having an adhesive on one surface, means for feedingfilaments toward the adhesive surface of the fabric to be reenforced,in-

eluding a comb device for attenuating the reenforcing filaments andapplying them to the adhesive surface of the fabric under lengthwisetension.

11. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination,means for feeding material to be reenforced by filaments, and means forlongitudinally feeding the filaments toward the material including apair of feeding-in rolls for the filaments, an endless carrier havingmeans for varying the effective fibre supporting length thereof, andmeans to adjust said feeding-in rolls bodily to conform to theadjustment of said endless carrier.

12. In a machine for reenforcing paper fabric, the combination ofguiding 'means for the paper fabric, means for advancing a sheet ofreenforcing filaments toward the paper fabric, a device for applying anad hesive to a surface of the paper fabric, a comb device forattenuating the sheet of reenforcing filaments and applying them to theadhesive surface of the paper fabric, and means for moving the adhesivesurface of the paper fabric at a higher rate of speed than that of theattenuated sheet of reenforcing filaments that the sheet of filamentsmay be applied to the adhesive surface of the paper in a single layer.

13. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination,means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by filaments, means forreceiving non-continuous unspun filaments from a source of supply, meansfor drawing out the filaments and attenuating them into a sheet of athickness equal .to the thickness of one of the filaments with theindividual filaments disposed substantially parallel side by side inslightly spaced relation and delivering them to the fabric at a speedless than that of the fabric and means for adhesively securing theattenuated sheet of filaments longitudinally of the fabric.

14. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination ofguides for directing a paper fabric having an adhesive sur face, feedingmeans for advancing a sheet of reenforcing filaments from a source ofsupply toward the paper fabric including a comb device for attenuatingthe sheet of filaments and presenting the attenuated sheet to theadhesive surface of the paper fabric, and means for moving the paperfabric at a greater speed than the comb device. that the filaments maybe laid upon the adhesive surface of the paper lengthwise thereof .in asingle sheet.

15. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric. the combination ofmeans for feeding a paper fabric having an adhesive applied to one facethereof. means for drawing rovings of unspun fibres from a source ofsupply and arranging them in sheet form,

apply the attenuated filaments to means for advancing the sheet offibres t-ofor directing a paper strip having an ad-.

hesive surface, means including a comb device for moving a sheet ofreenforcing filaments toward the paper strip and presenting the leadingends of the filaments to the adhesive surface of the paper, and meansfor causing the paper strip to travel faster than the sheet ofreenforcing filaments held. by the comb device that the filaments may bedrawn from the comb device by the adhesive surface of the paper stripand adhesively applied thereto in an attenuated layer. I

17. In a machine for reenforcing paper by the adhesive application ofreenforcing filaments thereto, the combination of guides for directing apaper strip, means for applying an adhesive asphaltum to the surface ofthe paper strip, means including a comb device for moving a sheet ofreenforeing filaments toward the paper strip and presenting the leadingends of the filaments to the adhesive surface of the paper, and meansfor causing the paper strip to travel faster than the sheet ofreenforcing filaments held by the comb device that the filaments may bedrawn from the comb device by the adhesive surface of the paper stripand adhesively applied thereto in an attenuated layer.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding a paper strip to be reenforced, means for feeding unspunfibres for application to the paper strip, and means for attenuating theunspun fibres and placing them under lengthwise tension on the paperstrip.

19. In a machine for reenforcing paper. the combination of means forfeeding paper having an adhesive surface to be reenforced, means forfeeding reenforcing elements for application to the paper including acomb device for attenuating the filaments and delivering them to thepaper. a roll about which the paper. is passed closely adjacent the endsof the filaments delivered by the comb device. and means for causing thepaper and roll to move with a surface speed greater than that of thefilaments on the comb to further attenuate thefilaments and the adhesive surface of the paper.

20. In a machine for reenforcing paper,

the combination of guides for directing two paper strips one of whichhas an adhesive surface, means for feeding a sheet of reenforcingfilaments between the two strips of -ments and laying them insubstantially a single layer between the paper strips.

21. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination ofpaper feeding means, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres at aslower speed than the paper is fed for adhesive application to thepaper, means for attenuating the sheet of fibres with the fibressubstantially parallel, and means for adhesively securing the fibres ofthe sheet to the paper in a single layer of substantially the samethickness of a single fibre and with the individual fibres spaced apart.

22. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination ofmeans for feeding the paper fabric at a predetermined surface speed,means for feeding a sheet of reenforcing filaments to the paper at aslower speed and delivering them to the surface of the paper tobe pulledlengthwise from the sheet and applied to the paper in a layer ofsubstantially the same thickness as one of the filaments.

23'. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding paper at a predetermined surface speed, means for feedingunspun fibres of long staple at a slower speed than the surface speed ofthe paper, and means for resisting the pull upon the unspun fibres bythe paper as they are delivered thereto for attenuating the sheet offibres and laying them under lengthwise tension in substantiallyparallel relation on the paper.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding paper at a determined surface speed, means for applying anadhesive to' the paper, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres oflong staple for delivery to the paper at a slower speed than the surfacespeed of the paper, means for resisting the pull upon the unspun fibresby the paper as the fibres are delivered thereto for attenuating thesheet of fibres, and means for adh'esively securing the fibres theretoin substantially parallel relation.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding two paper strips, means for applying an adhesive to one ofthem, means for deliver-- ing unspun fibresvbetween the paper strips insubstantially parallel relation between the paper strips.

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pairof rolls between which paper strips and a sheet of unspun fibres arefed, means for applyingan adhesive to one of the paper strips, and

means acting upon the sheet of unspun fibres to resist the drawingeffect of the rolls on the fibres and cause the sheet of fibres to beattenuated into a single layer of the same thickness as a single fibreand the fibres to be laid in substantially parallel relation between thepaper strips.

28. In a machine of the character described, the combination of paperfeeding means, means for applying an adhesive to the paper, means fordelivering long staple unspun fibre to the adhesive surface of the paperas it is being fed, comprising devices for retarding the free deliveryof the fibres under the drawing action of the moving paper to attenuatethe sheet of fibres and deliver the fibres in substantially parallelrelation under longitudinal tension.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of paperfeeding means, means for moving series of unspun fibres from a source ofsupply for applicaas one of the fibres under lengthwise tension and inlongitudinal relation thereto.

30. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feed ing a fabric to be reenforced, means for moving a series ofrovings of unspun fibres from a source of supply, means for laying thefibres of the rovings into substantially sheet form and attenuating thesheet and for deliveringthe attenuated sheet to the fabric to bereenforced and means for applyin an adhesive to the paper that it mayfur her attenuate the fibres and secure them to the paper underlengthwise tension.

31. In a machine of the character described, the-combination of meansfor feeding a fabric to be reenforced, means for moving a series pfrovings of unspun fibres from a source of supply, means for laying asource of supply, means for attenuating thev rovings, and means fordelivering the attenuated rovings to the fabric at a speed less than thespeed of the fabric with the fibres of the rovings in substantiallyparallel relation. g

33. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding a fabric or web lengthwise at a predetermined speed, meansfor .feeding a sheet of fibres longitudinally at a slower speed thanthat of the fabric orweb and delivering the fibres to the fabric or web,and means for retarding the movement of the fibres by the fabric or webto attenuate the sheet and lay the fibres on the fabric or webin-parallel relation. p l

34. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pairof paper feed rolls, means for applying an adhesive to one surface of apaper web passing between the rolls, a comb for delivering a sheet offibres to the adhesive surface of the paper web at a speed less than thespeed of the web for attenuating the sheet as it is delivered totheadhesive'surface of the paper web.

35. In a'machine of the character described, the combination of a pairof paper feed rolls, means for applying an adhesive to one surface of apa er web'passing be-v tween the rolls, a comb for delivering a. sheetof fibres to the adhesive surface of the paper web, and means for movingthe comb at a slower rate than the paper feed that the sheet of unspunfibres may be attenuated by the pull upon the fibres as they engage theadhesive surface of the paper web.

36. In a machine for reenforcing a paper fabric, the combination offeeding rolls for feeding a paper web to be reenforced by theapplication of unspun fibres thereto, means for feeding a series ofunspun fibre rovings toward the feeding rolls, and combsinterposedbetween the paper feeding rolls and the roving feeding meansfor combing and at tenuating the fibres of the rovings and fordelivering the fibres to the paper web under lengthwise tension in athin. sheet of'substantially the thiclmess of a single fibre.

37. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding .a paper strip to be reenforced, means for feeding unspunfibres for a plication to the paper strip,-a series of com s for combingand attenuatin the unspun fibres and delivering them un er lengthwisetension to the paper strip, and'means for introducing the-comb teethinto engagement with the unspun fibres by relatively movin the combs andfibres in the direction in which the teeth of the comb extend.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feedmg a paper strip-to be reenforced, me ans for feeding unspunfibres for ap lication to the paper strip, a series of com s for combingand attenuating the unspun' fibres and de-,

livering them under lengthwise tension to the paper strip, and means forremoving the comb teeth from the fibres by moving the combs bodily inthe direction in which the teeth extend.

'39. In a machine of the character described, the combination'of meansfor feeding a paper strip to be reenforced, means for feeding unspunfibres towards the paper strip, a series of combs for attentuating theunspun fibres and placing them under lengthwise tension on the paperstrip, means for successively lifting the combs into engagement with.theunspun fibres, advancing the lifted combs towards the paper strip--and then successively moving the .combs downward out of engagement withthe fibres, and means for maintainin the same face of the combs towardsthe bres throughout the movement of the combs.

40. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding a paper strip to be reenforced, means for feeding unspunfibres towards the paper strip, a series of independently movable combsfor attenuating the unspun fibres and placing them under len thwisetension on the paper strip, means or successively lifting the combs intoengagement with the unspun fibres, means for advancing the lifted combstowards the paper strip, and means for imparting a dropping movement tothe combs as they complete their advancing movement.

41. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor feeding a paper strip to be reenforced, means for feeding unspunfibres towards the paper strip, a series of. independently movable combsfor attenuating the unspun fibres and placing them under lengthwisetension on the paper strip, cam means for successively lifting the combsinto engagement with the unspun fibres, qfiieans for advancing thelifted a slower speed thanthe surface spleed of the means for resistingthe pn upon the P p unspun fibres by the paper as livered thereto forattenuating the sheet of fibres into a thin sheet'of substantially thethickness ofa single unspun fibre, and

means for adhesivel securing said thin sheet to the paper wit theindividual fibres Ply,

in substantially arallel relation; v 43. In a mac ine, for reenforcingand strengthening paper, the combination of :means for feeding a stripof paper to be reenforced and strengthened by individual unspun fibresof long staple, means for advancing unspun fibres from a source ofsupmeans for straightening the fibres and forming them into a layer ofthe thickness of a single fibre, and meansfor causing the individualfibres to be secured to the paper side by side'in laterally separatedrelation to produce a strong reenforced paper of a thickness equal tothat of the paper and a single fibre.

44. In a .machine for reenforcing and strengthening paper fabric, thecombination of meansior feeding paper fabric to be reenforced andstrengthened by individual unspun fibres, means'for advancing unspunfibres from a source of supply, means for straightening the fibresintosubstantially parallel relation and forming them into a ayerlof thethickness of a single fibre, and

I means for causing the individual fibres to be adhesively secured tothe paper fabric side by side in laterally spaced relation so that theyare disposed at intervals over the face of the they are depaper layer ofthe thickness of a single fibre, means for presenting and adhesivelysecuring the individual fibre to the sheet of paper side by side inlaterally spaced relation to each other, and means for applying a secondsheet of paper over the layer of fibres to form a two-ply sheet of paperwith individual fibres adhesively securedrbetween the sheets inlaterally spaced relation.

46. In a mach ne for reenforcing. and strengthening a paper web, thecombination fabric to "produce a reenforced or strengthened paper of athickness equal-to:

of means .for feeding a series of unspun fibres from a source of sup 1y,mechanism for drawing out the fibres into sheet form and insubstantially parallel relation for presentation'to the paper web to bereenforced having an adhesive surface, means for presenting the leadingends of individual fibres of the sheet to the adhesive surface of thepaper web 'that such individual fibres may. be secured to the paper webin laterally separated relation.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES-H. HOWARD.

